ASPA SECTION ON ETHICS
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING
Sunday April 3,
2005—8:30 a.m.
(Minutes taken by Jennifer Alexander)
In Attendance: Terrel Rhodes, Russell Williams, Manfred Meine, Donald Menzel, Raymond Cox III, Steve Bobes, Jennifer Alexander, James Heichelbech
Terrel Rhodes presided, filling for Terry Cooper who was unable to attend due to convalescence from surgery.
Website Report/Presidential Ethics Initiative:
Don Menzel discussed the website: key points included that the list serve is alive and well, particularly given the flurry of discussion regarding syllabi for ethics courses. Don noted that the discussion is automatically archived so people can refer to it later. James questioned whether we could post the newsletter on the website and create direct links to it – but this seems to be beyond Eric’s (Bergrud) control.
Don also reviewed his Presidential Ethics Initiative and his five recommendations/proposals, which were
(1) place an ethics feature in the PA times that will highlight the ASPA code of ethics
The editorial board needs participation
(2) package an ethics training program with an instructor’s guide, case studies and a handbook. – He wants this sent to the ethics leadership section
(3) Create an ASPA website such as public integrity.org. This resource
would complement the ethics section website. He wants this sent to the
online board of editors and the ASPA executive committee so they would
know what it might look like.
(4) Establish an ethics advisory council or body that would make recommendations to
council regarding behaviors. Dan Ahern had Council create a code review
committee. The Committee’s report, however, was tabled so Don wants to
resurrect the committee with a new set of members that will review the code and its implementation.
(5) Have all journals associated with ASPA to recognize the ASPA code of ethics.
Don wants a comprehensive review process and he would like the section to be
involved in developing these and perhaps adding more. There was then a discussion about whether we are experts in determining issues of ethics and how difficult this is.
Treasurer’s Report – Steven Bobes
The final report on Portland conference which resulted in a loss of dollars, which is largely the cost of the two grants to students ($150, $300) that made up the bulk of the deficit. In addition to the $6500 expense for the conference was an expense for audio visual costs. It was debated back and forth and ASPA decided to absorb the AV cost which would have resulted in a $4200 net loss to the section if ASPA hadn’t done this. The formula for determining the amount of the rebate is outlined in the ASPA policy and procedures manual. A question/concern was raised about how often the formula was reviewed by the ASPA leadership.
The section’s finances are as follows: $17,862 in revenues, the section’s rebate of $11,000, and then revenue received from the Ethics forum. In short, expenses totaled $19,230.00, the bulk of which was required for Public Integrity and then $3,100 for the conference in Europe. Expenses over revenues = $11, 577.46.
The breakfast for the section’s meeting tomorrow will be $386.46; $1000 donation was paid to ASPA by the Executive Committee. Steve noted that he was not paying the $21 for labels because he had not yet rec’d information indicating who ordered them. There was some discussion as to who might have ordered the labels and why. Steve noted that the difficulty with ASPA’s accounting is that we receive the check without a breakdown of what it covers and there is a substantial delay from remittance to receipt by the section.. Moreover there seems to be some changes in the calculation of the rebate policy as well. With poor communication and lack of data accompanying the wire transfers it’s difficult to discern logic or predict expenditures.
A conversation then ensued about declining section membership and the projected
increases in costs that are expected.
Russ Williams noted that we need to stay focused on this and that
changes in the equation need to be carefully considered.
Terry R. noted that we need to position ourselves as a resource to faculty and students, and to agencies. Through our newsletter? Our journal? He noted that he is open to ways in which we can expand our membership and appeal.
Terry R. continued the conversation about increasing membership with the conclusion that people have to join ASPA to be members of the section because they are bundled together. There was some discussion of creating a password and charging a fee that would give people access to Ethics Today. Russ noted that there is also a difference
in interests because most of what happens on Ethics Talk doesn’t have a lot of resonance
for practitioners – its more directed to the academics, e.g., the most recent discussion going on with regard to syllabi. These small discussions are not going to draw people to join the section.
Ethics Today report—James Heichelbech:
James noted that we received the ASPA Section Award again. And he needs to reconstruct the ET board to bring in people who will be working board members –
he needs people who will contribute. The role of the board is to provide context as well – to make a good newsletter each quarter.
James noted that he has gotten more from people who were not on the board – There was discussion and agreement that it is time to ask people whether they want to stay on the board and refresh the membership. Terry R. noted that this is also the opportunity to give a more defined description of their responsibilities.
James noted that there is a problem posting ET online and we want ET to be accessible. This is an ASPA problem and really beyond Eric (Bergrud’s) control. We need to post it in a few places.
Awards Committee Report (Ray Cox)
The best article in Public Integrity was written by Evan Berman and Jonathan West,
“"Ethics Training in U.S. Cities Content, Pedagogy, and Impact." which appeared in the Summer 2004 Volume 6, No. 3 issue. Leo Huberts, Patricia Alt and Raymond Cox III, comprised the selection committee. There were no written criteria by which to select the article so the committee created criteria. In addition they agreed that no one on the committee could have their paper considered.
This year there was no student paper award because there were too few student papers. The group agreed that we should set a time table earlier. Terry R. will need to engage in strategic nagging; the NASPAA reps/ MPA directors will need to know earlier in the year. We wanted to make the award available to both spring and fall papers and if we are reviewing as we go, by semester, it won’t be so overwhelming.
So we need to establish the chairs and committees as quickly as possible so that criteria and process can begin.
Leuvan Conference:
The conference is coming together quite nicely. There is limited opportunity for participation at this point beyond those who responded to the earlier calls for papers given the way that it is structured.
Agenda for Membership Committee:
Explore new organizations, mailing lists, etc., for potential new members. Contact those who have lapsed to renew. Continue to cultivate student members.
Ray asked that the section endorse the idea of a required
ethics course for NASPAA schools. With
accreditation, schools would have 7 years to build the course into their
curriculum. The discussion that ensued
was whether we should have one course that transmitted ethics in PA or whether
every course should address it in some way.
Russ noted that ideally it would be both, rather than an either/or
proposition.
ASPA SECTION ON ETHICS
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Monday April 4,
2005—8:30 a.m.
(Minutes taken by Rick Green)
Terrel Rhodes presided.
Terry R. conveyed regrets from Terry Cooper for not being able to attend.
New Ex/Com Members welcomed: Jennifer Alexander, Jeremy Plant, Emile Kolthoff, Dadi Einarsson.
Treasurer’s Report: (Steven Bobes)
Section’s finances are fully summarized in report. The essential matters are as follows: $17,862 in revenues, the section’s rebate of $11,000, and then revenue received from the Ethics forum. In short, expenses totaled $19,230.00, the bulk of which was required for Public Integrity and then $3,100 for the conference in Europe. Expenses over revenues = $11, 577.46. Report accepted unanimously upon motion and second.
Membership Report: (Carole Jurkewicze)
Latest count of section members is 340, down 11%. This is down less than other ASPA sections, but still a concern. Letters soliciting membership were sent out. Apparently people are suffering from budget cuts and forgoing association and section memberships.
Jeremy Plant inquired if the section officers had any data on why the numbers are down, and if it parallels the declines in ASPA membership overall. Carole will look into it.
It was also noted that some section members weren’t getting PI with their membership, the implication being that correcting this might keep membership numbers more stable. Should get email out to listserv to notify any members who might not be getting the journal. Members should contact Harry Briggs at M.E. Sharpe if they’re not getting the journal.
Awards Committee: (Ray Cox and Tom Lynch)
No student award given this year. Some discussion ensued about how to entice more submissions. Only got one submission this year. Need more aggressive campaign – should call ethics professors to generate more submissions. Terry R. will need to engage in strategic nagging; the NASPAA reps/ MPA directors will need to know earlier in the year. Need to make the award available to both spring and fall papers and if we are reviewing as we go, by semester, it won’t be so overwhelming. Need to establish the chairs and committees as quickly as possible so that criteria and process can begin. Patti Alt will be asked to chair next year’s Best Student Paper committee.
Best PI article: Evan Berman and Jonathan West, “Ethics Training in U.S. Cities Content, Pedagogy, and Impact.” which appeared in the Summer 2004, Volume 6, No. 3 issue. Leo Huberts, Patricia Alt and Raymond Cox III, comprised the selection committee. There were no written criteria by which to select the article so the committee created criteria. In addition they agreed that no one on the committee could have their paper considered. Tom Lynch suggested putting guidelines for the paper on the web.
The eligibility period has also been adjusted to calendar-year submissions to help clear up confusion.
Comments by Don Menzel, new ASPA President Elect:
“Ethics section is by far the best and most active among the ASPA sections.
Re Website: “Tell me if there is something else/more you want posted there. It’s easy for Don to manage.
Don said he has three initiatives he wants to push as ASPA President.
1. Give more attention to integrity and ethics worldwide. Will create an Ethics Action Visibility Team to examine ASPA code with new committee. Will go beyond the code to issues of implementation as well. Will create more presence on website. Will try to get every journal to post the ethics code.
2. Will promote more internationalism through more conferences like that in Leuven, Belgium and in Cheng Du, China.
3. Wants to give more attention to ASPA image. Symbols are important! Lots of possible ideas on how to use them, and how to bolster its image.
Jeremy Plant asked Don to comment on decline in ASPA and Ethics Section membership. Don replied that we have to sort out who’s coming in and who’s going out. We don’t know all the reasons. Must also check on ASPA chapter memberships to see patterns there. We have 91 active chapters, and some inactive ones. These will be dis-established.
Ethics Today report: (Jim Heichelbech)
Jim noted that we received the ASPA Section Award again. And he needs to reconstruct the ET board to bring in people who will be working board members – he needs people who will contribute.
The journal is quite long, but all parts of it are liked by readers.
Please send me member news, journal publications, etc. Don’t be shy, don’t feel like you’re bragging.
Leuven, Belgium Conference: Carole J is co-leader in its organization. Workshops are configured. Attendance is restricted due to space and organization of the conference (European model). The Ethics Section gave a grant to help support the effort. There are many high-quality submissions.
The Executive Committee endorsed the idea of a required ethics course for NASPAA schools. With accreditation, schools would have 7 years to build the course into their curriculum. Discussion among members resulted in unanimous support of motion and second to “Strongly support a course in MPA curricula, and to develop a modular approach to encourage integration into other courses and training programs.” Comments during the discussion included the following:
As we continue our partnerships around the world, we should converse about global ethics and broaden our western focus.
NASPAA is trying to assess the number of required ethics courses in MPA programs around the country. Will put info on the web and in newsletter.
Given mission-based standards, some wonder what reaction will be to our calling for another course requirement. We may be filling up curricula with required courses.
Ray Cox noted that we probably won’t win the battle with NASPAA, but there’s a whole universe of programs out there not bound by NSAPAA rules that we could seek to persuade.
Need emphasis on history, ethics, and on western traditions.
Not-for-profit ethics is another area of exploration. It’s huge and growing.
Business/Govt interface is also a huge area of need.
We might have a bigger impact on broader audience if we integrate ethics across the curriculum. Response to this indicated that attention to ethics tends to dissolve over time without a separate ethics course and an ethics advocate among the faculty.
One member responded that he wasn’t in a position to tell his colleagues to do this or that. Better approach is to develop modules and be a resource rather than try to mandate such things.
Must champion both separate course and integration approaches – it’s so central.
There is no recognition that our MPA degree (and ethics focus) has value among other professions in government agencies. We need a module approach for agency consumption at practical level - would make our efforts more relevant to practitioners.
Perhaps we should have a certification process.
Ethics Forum: Must think about the next Ethics Forum at ASPA national conference. Must avoid competition with other ASPA panels and meetings. Need to get started with planning soon. Maybe we should work with other sections – such as on international or non-profit theme, or business/govt interface. We need to brainstorm ideas and put on list-serve.
Finally, Terry R. reminded members to notify him if any want to join various section committees (nominating committee, student paper committee, ethic in practice committee, PI committee, etc.)